Renowned Kenyan star boxer Conjestina Achieng's son has come out to expose a number of influential individuals and organisations that made empty promises to his ailing mum, before disappearing into thin air.
Speaking on Vybez Radio, on Thursday, March 3, Charttone Otieno detailed how his mum was left to battle with illness despite receiving many offers from a number of individuals.
Revealing the sorry state of the national hero, Charltone emotionally told the early morning show host Sheila Kwamboka famously known as Kwambox, that some pledges have gone unfulfilled up to now.
He named one big sports organisation that had promised to buy Conjestina a house, open a gym facility and even cater for all her needs but they did not commit to the promise.
The pledges according to the organisation were set to be fulfilled after the boxer's full recovery and discharge from the hospital.
"They took my mum from home and took her to hospital. After about three months they promised to give Conjestina a new house, a gym facility, and take care of all her needs. This was in 2021,"Chartone stated.
He added, " We had all the hope. After she was discharged we tried to contact them but they were not to be seen."
The budding boxer further revealed that his mum is not yet out of danger, as she is still battling a number of health complications.
"Conjestina right now is at home and still sick," he remarked.
Charlotone has been at the forefront pushing to have his mum accorded much needed help to recover, especially from Kenyans of goodwill and even the State.
Before her boxing career crumbled, her star was shining bright, winning medals and flying the Kenyan flag high. Conjestina took to the ring in 2000 after graduating through the youth soccer ranks in Nairobi's Makongeni Estate, inspired by her elder brother who was a member of the national boxing team.
After winning and competing in a number of tournaments, Conjestina became ill. She was even forced to move back to Siaya.
Achieng has for long been suffering from Schizo-affective disorder also known as paranoid schizophrenia which is a mental disorder that forced her to pull off her gloves before full time.
In a past interview, her mother, Getrude Auma, said her daughter’s mental illness had made her life miserable, and shattered their hopes as a family.
“I have been called names. I have lost friends. People have wished that my daughter was no more. I have seen it all, but I believe God and expect a miracle, she stated.
She added, "Some people took advantage of the situation and started making money from her condition. We know of people who visited us, took pictures with her, and used them to make money."
In 2021, Conjestina was rushed to hospital with top political leaders such as former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko jostling for a chance to offer a helping hand.
Her condition was made public by sports journalist Carol Radull attracting a lot of reactions, from a cross section of Kenyans who sympathised with the former star.
According to Charltone, the only wish for the family is for his mum to recover and get back to her feet since she was their breadwinner before she was struck by mental illness.
